HEAVY rainfall has caused localised flooding in many parts of the county over the past month, with one farmer from Horley having to help rescue vehicles trapped in floodwater six times in six weeks.

Ian McCubbine and his team at Boardlands Farm in Smallfield have pulled on their wellies and got the tractor out to come to the aid of stranded motorists in Broadbridge Lane, where a mass of water has frequently taken over the road.

He said: "For about six weeks it has been flooded on and off, and we have helped half a dozen cars in that time.

"It's dreadful and it [the water] isn't going anywhere for a week at least. There has never been flooding like it has this year, it's become impassable."

The latest mission for Mr McCubbine was a white van stuck in the water, and he said: "I just waded in, attached a rope to it, then the tractor pulled it straight out. It didn't take long."

The flood in Broadbridge Lane covers the entire road and pavement, and is often too deep for most cars to be able to get through - and Mr McCubbine said motorists were foolish to try.

He added: "In this day and age you'd think you'd be able to keep the water off the road.

"The roads will be wrecked. It just throws the traffic everywhere else. This road is in a dreadful state of repair now."

Meanwhile, crews from Reigate fire station were called out to Flanchford Road in the town on Monday afternoon (June 11), after the River Mole burst its banks and took a Mini hostage.

A firefighter who was at the scene said: "One car was unsuccessful crossing and his Mini got stuck in the middle of the bridge.

"The river burst its banks under the bridge, the water was a couple of feet high and spread 400m.

"So we had the road cleared and the car was recovered and dried off."

Reigate and Banstead District Council said: "The council has been putting in place arrangements to support other agencies to take action to protect people or property."

"As part of our preparations, we have had officers on the ground observing conditions. Our rest centres were on standby should any properties have needed to be evacuated and our crews ready to be deployed to an incident or to provide resource support such as providing sandbags."

"To date we have not needed to take any action on the ground but are in regular contact with relevant agencies until water levels subside."